Oke Ogun, a region in Oyo State, Nigeria, is rich in history and culture. This region, known for its agricultural prowess and vibrant communities, also boasts several historical sites and monuments that offer a glimpse into its past. Let’s explore some of these fascinating landmarks:
1. Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake
Located at Ado-Awaye, 20 kilometers west of Iseyin. Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State. This historical, Spiritual, Religious,and Scentific(ecological/scenic site). The suspended lake (Iyake) is located on the crest of the rock formation in Iseyin Local Government of the State. The spectacular geomorphologic phenomenon is the only one in Africa. The Iyake lake is about 12 feet in diameter with greenish water which fills the lake all year round through all the seasons. The water is believed to have mystical healing power. Climbing to the crest of the rock formation takes about forty-five minutes with some unique routes such as the ‘Esekan Iku’ translated on the “verge of death.” The rock’s strategic location affords tourists the view of the range of hills toward the Border of Republic of Benin without using a pair of Binoculars, especially during the dry season. Ditto for other towns and cities that are thousands of kilometers away. As an eco-tourism potential, it has great propensity for economic and social development of its locality. It is often regarded as the combined Mount Sinai and River Jordan of Nigeria. Camping, excursion and picnicking activities are prominent on it. More than 1million tourists are attracted to the center annually.
2. Agbele Hill
Located at Behind Alagangan House, Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government. This is Historical/Cultural site. It is a wonderful rock formations believed to have some cultural legends and the former homes of the Igbeti settlers.
3. Manor House
Located at Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government. This is a Historical/ Colonial site. A colonial legacy. A rest house of visiting Colonial Administrators of Oyo Province. Built on a hill with panoramic view of the city of Iseyin and adjuring villages.
4. Adasobo Hill
Located at Kisi, Irepo Local Government. This is a religious center,the first place of settlement of Kisi people and serves as a protective place for them during the war. In recognition of the protective nature of the hill, sacrifices are always made to it.
5. Ogun Ajangba Shrine
Located at Ajangba area, Kisi, Irepo Local Government. This is Spiritual site. It comprises a big stone which serves as shrine for people to worship.
6. Oke Olofin Hill
Located at Iwere Ile, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Historical site is owned by the Community. The first place of settlement of Iwere-Ile people and serves as a protective place for them during the war.
7. Old Okeho Relics
Located at Okeho, Kajola Local Govt. This Traditional/ Cultural/ Historical is owned by the Community. A long chain erupted from the ground at the sport where Onjo Folarin entered the ground when he was not seeing anymore. Any living Onjo must go there to make sacrifice annually during Oro Festival. Relics of early settlers still visible.
8. Mafohun River
Located at Ilero, Kajola Local Govt. This Scenic Sites is owned by the Community. It has some other outlets.
9. Oke- Ibato
Located at Ilero, Kajola Local Govt. This Ecological/Scenic Site, is owned by the Community. Precious stones are found in this particular hill.
10. Koko- Aro- Ofiki
Located at Ilero, Kajola Local Govt. This Economic/ Scenic site is owned by the Community. The palace contains many pots which are economically useful. Also found among these pots is ‘’Laba Sango’’.
11. Oke-Ila Olabata
Located at Ilero, Kajola Local Govt. This Economic/ Scenic Site is owned by the Community. It is places where there is a wonderful river which can supply thousands of settlers of inhabitants ‘drinking water for years.
12. Aso- Ofi (Traditional Cloth Weaving) at Iseyin
Located at Iseyin, Iseyin Local Govt. This historical/cultural site is privately owned. Iseyin, near oyo is the center of traditional cloth weaving in Yorubaland. The ancient cloth weaving is the heritage of the people. The visitor to Iseyin will witness cloth weavers using traditional looms and native yarns. This ancient art is fast dying out all over the word, but the people have retained their heritage of cloth weaving, the traditional weaver at work is a beauty to behold the present system of weaving in Oyo State is only a modern revival of the craft that was once widespread in the country. Our grand parents have been fashioning garments from wool fix dye since the medieval times. Recently, the Oyo State Government has acquired 13.579 hectares of land for the Establishment of Aso-Ofi Indigenous Textile Museum and Market in Iseyin.
13. Oke Iya-n-la
Located at Tede, Atisbo Local Govt. This Historical/ Cultural site is owned by the Community. A might rock which used to be the abode of the habitants during the internecine wars of the yorubas.
14. Ikere Gorge Dam
Located at Ikere, Iseyin Local Govt. This Ecological/Scenic site is owned by the Oyo State Govt. It provides water recreation facilities like lake cruising and sport fishing for tourists
15. Asabari Hill
Located at Araro, Saki West Local Govt. This Historical/ Cultural is owned by the community. Asabari hill is a rocky out crop which was believed to have assisted the internecine wars of the yorubas.
16. Olofin, Akasube, Okofiri Hill
Located at Okeho, KajolaLocal Govt. It is owned by the Government. These have natural rooms underneath where people used to hide from invaders during the inter-tribal wars.
17. Konkondo River
Located at Tege area, Irepo Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community.
18. Dunmoni Hill
Located at Along Mapo Primary School, Irepo Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community.
19. 16 Mountains Scattered within Igbeti Town and Its Environment
Located at Igbeti, Oorelope Local Government. This Ecological/Scenic is owned by the Government
20. National Game Reserve
Located at Along Igbeti Road, Irepo Local Govt. This Ecological/Recreational site is owned by the Federal Government
21. Ebedi Hill
Located at Iseyin Town, Iseyin Local Govt. This Ecological/Historical site is owned by the community. Ebedi is one of the founding fathers of Iseyin who later turned into a hill to protest his children against enemies during wars.
22. Elegba Shrine
Located at Iseyin Town, Iseyin Local Govt. This Religious/Cultural site is owned by the community
23. Olofin Shrine
Located at Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Religious/Cultural site is owned by the community
24. Omosanda Shrine
Located at Ipapo, Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Religious/Cultural site is owned by the community
25. Ore Shrine
Located at Okaka, Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Religious/Cultural site is owned by the community
26. Awonloko Hill
Located at Igboyaye, Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Religious/Cultural site is owned by the community
27. Ahoro Aabo
Located at Awonoko Hill, Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Religious/Cultural site is owned by the community
28. Iroko Hill
Located at Baba Ode. Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community.
29. River Ofiki
Located at Iganna, Itesiwaju Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community.
30. Osil Hill
Located at Iganna, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community.
31. Gbede Hill and Ibasun River
Located at Iwere-Ile, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Religious/Ecological site is owned by the community.
32. Ilele Hill
Located at Ijio Meso, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community
33. Kotobawo Hill
Located at Ijio Meso, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community
34. Ewon Ogun & Alara Hill
Located at Itasa, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community
35. Baba Onibon
Located at Ilaji-Ile, Iwajowa Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community
36. Biayin Mountain
Located at Okeho, Kajola Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community
37. Ori-Ila Olabata
Located at Okeloko, Oorelope Local Govt. This Ecological site is owned by the community
38. Old Oyo Games Reserve
Located at Igboho-Igbeti Road, Oorelope Local Govt. This Recreational/Cultural site is owned by the community.
39. Odin Eyin
Located at Oorelope Local Govt. . It is owned by the community.
40. Baba Ori
Located at Igbologun road, Saki West Local Govt. This site is owned by the community
41. Igbologun
Located at Igbologun, Saki West Local Govt. This site is owned by the community
42. 50-Years Old Crocodile
Located at Oje-Owode, Saki West Local Govt. This site is owned by the community
43. Oke Merindinlogun(16 Hills)
Located at Ogbooro, Saki West Local Govt. This site is owned by the community
44. Iluku Hill
Located between Ofiki and Ago-Are, near Ofiki Atisbo Local Govt. This Ecological/ Religious site is owned by the community. It is said that Iluku Mountain help people for different problems/ailments.
45. Apata Basoo
Located at behind the Palace of Ajoriwin of Irawo, Atisbo Local Govt. This Ecological/Religious site is owned by the Community/ Government. Fresh water that does not dry up ooses out regularly. Drinkable water is being collected for solutions to physical, physiological and spiritual problems. The spot of the river is well fenced.
46. Agelu Jerusalem
This Religious site is owned by the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement. All members of Cherubim and Seraphim sect worldwide pay holy pilgrimage to the place annually. Also tourists who are interested in religions tourism do visit the place.
47. Iyamopo Hill
Located at Igbeti, Olorunshogo Local Govt. It is owned by the community. History has it that Alaafin Sango resided on this hill after he left Oyo ile before he left for the present Oyo. During Sango Festival Sango worshippers offers sacrifices on the hill.
48. Bata Erugba Hill
Located at Along Bonni Road, Igbeti, Olorunshogo Local Govt. It is owned by the community
49. Onigbeti Palace
Located at Igbeti, Olorunshogo Local Govt. . It is owned by the community
50. Ogunjokoro
Located at Igbeti, Olorunshogo Local Govt. It is owned by the community
51. Dam Site
Located at Igbeti, Olorunshogo Local Govt. It is owned by the community
52. Marble Site
Located at Along Igbeti-Igboho, Olorunshogo Local Govt. This site is owned by the community
53. Ogun-Osun water basin
Located at Ofiki. A site of river basin, cutting across the town
Exploring Oke Ogun’s Historical Heritage
By visiting these historical sites and monuments, you can gain a deeper appreciation for Oke Ogun’s rich history and cultural heritage. Whether you’re interested in ancient civilizations, colonial history, or traditional culture, this region offers something for everyone.
Note: To ensure the preservation of these historical sites, it’s important to visit them responsibly and follow guidelines set by local authorities.
